Refuse collecting device

ABSTRACT

A refuse collecting device having an improved tubular bagmounting member at the lower end of a handle for collecting refuse such as animal leavings and the like. The refuse is collected in a disposable bag removably mounted on the tubular element in an improved manner for positive association with the tubular element during use while yet providing for facilitated withdrawal of the bagged matter in a sanitary manner.

United States Patent Pettenon et a1.

[54] REFUSE COLLECTING DEVICE [72] Inventors: Armando U. Pettenon, 12635 South Eggleston Ave., Chicago, 111. 60628; Edward M. Gorski, 15257 Ingleside Ave., Chicago, 111. 60473 22 Filed: Dec.ll, 1970 21 App1.No.: 97,135

[52] US. Cl. ..294/l9 R, 294/1 R, 294/55 [51] Int. Cl. ..A47f 13/06 [58] Field ofSearch ..294/19 R, 19A,55, 1;248/95,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,281,178 10/1966 Fisher ..294/1 [451 May 2, 1972 Primary ExaminerEvon C. Flunk Assistant Examiner-Johnny D. Cherry Attorney-Hofgren, Wegner, Allen, Stellman & McCord [5 7] ABSTRACT A refuse collecting device having an improved tubular bagmounting member at the lower end of a handle for collecting refuse such as animal leavings and the like. The refuse is collected in a disposable bag removably mounted on the tubular element in an improved manner for positive association with the tubular element during use while yet providing for facilitated withdrawal of the bagged matter in a sanitary manner.

10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures Patented May 2, 1972 3,659,891

A rmanda [[Peii'enow, EwarciMGO rs/a REFUSE COLLECTING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1 Field of the Invention This invention relates to collecting devices and in particular to refuse collecting devices utilizing disposable bag means.

2. Description of the Prior Art In one form of conventional refuse collecting device, the bag is retained at the lower end of a handle by means of a pair of frames which are spaced apart at the leading edge of the device and which loosely support the collecting bag. A special construction is required in the bag wherein a collar portion is sealed to the main body of the bag along longitudinal lines in order to provide desired retention of the bag on the spaced frame elements during use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprehends an improved simplified refuse collecting device adapted for use with a conventional open-ended bag wherein the end portion defines a continuous collar which may be simply turned to define a cuff freely encircling the front portion of a tubular element of the collecting device. Thus, conventionally available bags may be utilized.

The tubular element is arranged to effectively positively retain the conventional bag structure by a turning of the cuff over a front edge portion of the tubular element which is substantially continuous. A handle means is connected to the tubular element at a rear portion thereof permitting the cuff to be fully installed on the forward portion of the tubular element eliminating the need for tearing or pinching the cuff at the connecting means.

To further assure retention of the collar on the tubular element, a bead may be provided at the leading edge of the forward portion. Further, the lower portion of the tubular element may be tapered at the front edge for facilitated scooping of refuse and the like into the bag.

The body of the bag extends coaxially through the tubular element to receive the refuse material and is removed with the collected material therein in a sanitary manner by the user merely pulling the bag further through the tubular element to draw the cuff around the leading edge of the tubular element whereupon the bag may be closed and discarded as desired.

The tubular construction of the bag mounting element provides a strong, substantially rigid bag carrying means assuring long trouble-free life of the device.

The invention further comprehends providing means in association with the device for storing a plurality of disposable bags permitting selective removal of the bags as desired. More specifically, the storage means may comprise storage means mounted on the handle of the device for facilitated access.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device as employed in the collection of refuse and the like;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged perspective view of the refuse collecting device;

FIG. 3 is a further enlarged longitudinal section thereof taken substantially along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary front elevation of a modified form of refuse collecting device embodying the invention; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal section thereof taken substantially along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the exemplary embodiment of the invention as shown in FIGS. 1-3 of the drawing, a refuse collecting device generally designated is shown to comprise a tubular element 1 l, handle means generally designated 12 connected to the tubular element for handling the tubular element in the manner of a swingable scoop, and a disposable bag 13 removably carried on the tubular element for receiving the collected refuse. The bag may comprise a commercially available open-ended conventional plastic bag.

The open end of the bag comprises a collar portion generally designated 14 having a turned cuff l5 encircling the forward portion 16 of tubular element 11 to retain the bag in coaxial extension through the tubular element as seen in FIG. 2. To augment the retaining action of the cuff, a bead 17 may be provided on the distal forward edge of the front portion of the tubular element over which the cuff 15 is stretched in the mounting of the bag on the tubular element.

Tubular element 11 further includes a rear portion 18 to which a connecting portion 19 of handle means 12 is attached. In one form of the invention, as shown in FIG. 3, the tubular element comprises a molded plastic element. Thus, the handle connecting portion 19 may comprise an integral portion of the tubular element. The handle may include an elongated manipulating portion 20 secured to the connecting portion 19, such as by screws 21.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, cuff 15 extends rearwardly to forwardly of handle means connecting portion 19 so that is is unnecessary to tear or pinch the cuff to accommodate the mounting of the cuff on the tubular element. Connecting portion 19 is disposed adjacent the rear edge 22 of the tubular element to permit use of the refuse collecting device in a scooping or swinging manner somewhat as in the use of a golf club putter as illustrated in FIG. 1.

The lower portion 23 of the tubular element defines a forwardly narrowing tapered front edge portion 24 which further facilitates the pickup of refuse in the scooping action.

Refuse collecting device 10 is extremely simple and economical of construction and is relatively light in weight thereby providing for facilitated use of the device in the collecting operation. The bag 13 is readily installed on the device in a sanitary manner by simple extending the bag coaxially through the tubular element with the cuff portion 15 turned over to encircle the forward portion 16 of the tubular element as the bag is drawn through the tubular element to the position of FIG. 3. As the cuff element 15 has a substantial length, positive retention of the bag on the tubular element is effected without the need for special seamed bag construction or for fitting the bag around the connecting means 19 as has been required in previous known collecting devices of this type.

When it is desired to remove the collected bagged refuse from the device, the user need merely grasp the lower portion of the bag projecting from the tubular element and pull downwardly thereon to draw the cuff 15 around the bead l7 and downwardly through the tubular element. Upon removal of the bag from the tubular element, the bag may be closed and discarded as desired in theconventional manner. A new bag may be reinstalled on the tubular element by a repeat of the above described mounting process with the surfaces of the tubular element being maintained sanitary by the protective encircling thereof by the cuff portion 15.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a modified form of refuse collecting device generally designated is shown to comprise a tubular element 111 formed of a sheet material, such as sheet metal, which may be retained in the tubular configuration such as by rivets 125. The leading edge of the tubular element may be returned to define a bead 117. The handle may include a lowermost turned end 126 secured to the upper wall 127 of the tubular element by suitable means such as rivets 128. The turned end 126 may extend transversely to the longitudinal extent of the tubular element as shown in FIG. 4.

Refuse collecting device 110 is similar to refuse collecting device 10 and functions in a similar manner as discussed relative to device 10.

To permit facilitated continuous use of the refuse collecting devices disclosed herein, means may be provided for storing a plurality of disposable bags in association with the device permitting seriatim withdrawal of the bag for installation on the tubular elements. Thus, as illustrated in connection with refuse collecting device 110 in FIG. 4, a storage carrier 129 may be secured to handle 120 by suitable means such as straps 130. A suitable supply of disposable bags may be stored within carrier 129 for repeated collections of refuse by the device. The carrier may have a suitable closure 131 as desired. As will be obvious to those skilled in the art, the storage means may be provided in association with refuse collecting device equally as with device 110.

Bags 13 may be formed of any suitable material such as plastic, paper, etc. The tubular elements are preferably arranged to accommodate the desired bag construction with the collar portion 14 thereof providing the retaining cuff structure discussed above by simple folding of the open end of the bag. Illustratively, the cuff may have a longitudinal extent of approximately 2 1% inches where the bag has an overall length of 6 to 12 inches. The handle may have a length of approximately 32 inches for facilitated scooping action in the manner shown in FIG. 1. The tubular element may have an overall length of approximately 2 55 inches, a width of approximately 4 inches and a height of approximately 2 inches. Where the tubular element is formed of sheet metal, the use of 26 gauge sheet steel has been found to provide a highly desirable tubular element construction.

The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is illustrative of the broad inventive concepts comprehended by the invention.

We claim:

1. A refuse collecting device comprising: a substantially rigid tubular element having a continuous front portion and a rear portion having a substantial extent rearwardly from said front portion; handle means connected to said tubular element rear portion for handling said tubular element in the manner of a swingable scoop; and a disposable bag having a continuous collar portion turned to define a cuff encircling said front portion of the tubular element fully forwardly of said handle means for securing the bag to the tubular element, said collar portion being continuously annularly supported by said front portion, and a receptacle portion extending coaxially through the tubular element for receiving refuse scooped through said front portion of the tubular element, said tubular element front portion defining a regular front edge permitting the bag to be withdrawn from the tubular element by pulling the bag rearwardly to cause the cuff to slide about said regular front edge free of tearing thereof.

2. The refuse collecting device of claim 1 wherein said front portion is provided with a forward distal bead means for facilitating retention of the bag collar portion thereof.

3. The refuse collecting device of claim 1 wherein said tubular element defines a bottom wall portion and said handle means is connected to said rear portion of the tubular element rearwardly of the distal rear edge of said bottom wall portion whereby said cuff may extend to rearwardly of said rear edge forwardly of said handle connecting means.

4. The refuse collecting device of claim 1 wherein said handle means is connected to said tubular element adjacent the rear edge thereof.

5. The refuse collecting device of claim 1 wherein said tubu lar element is a one-piece plastic molding.

6. The refuse collecting device of claim 1 wherein said front edge portion includes a tapered lower distal edge providing a preselected reduced thickness for facilitated pickup of scooped refuse.

7. The refuse collecting device of claim 1 wherein said handle means includes a connector portion integral with said tubular element and elongated manipulating means secured to said connector portion.

8. The refuse collecting device of claim 1 wherein said tubular element is formed of sheet metal and includes a turned distal edge of said front portion defining a bead for facilitating retention of said bag collar portion thereon.

9. The refuse collecting device of claim 1 further including storage means on said device for supplying seriatim a plurality a said disposable bags.

10. The refuse collecting device of claim 9 wherein said storage means is carried on said handle means. 

1. A refuse collecting device comprising: a substantially rigid tubular element having a continuous front portion and a rear portion having a substantial extent rearwardly from said front portion; handle means connected to said tubular element rear portion for handling said tubular element in the manner of a swingable scoop; and a disposable bag having a continuous collar portion turned to define a cuff encircling said front portion of the tubular element fully forwardly of said handle means for securing the bag to the tubular element, said collar portion being continuously annularly supported by said front portion, and a receptacle portion extending coaxially through the tubular element for receiving refuse scooped through said front portion of the tubular element, said tubular element front portion defining a regular front edge permitting the bag to be withdrawn from the tubular element by pulling the bag rearwardly to cause the cuff to slide about said regular front edge free of tearing thereof.
 2. The refuse collecting device of claim 1 wherein said front portion is provided with a forward distal bead means for facilitating retention of the bag collar portion thereof.
 3. The refuse collecting device of claim 1 wherein said tubular element defines a bottom wall portion and said handle means is connected to said rear portion of the tubular element rearwardly of the distal reAr edge of said bottom wall portion whereby said cuff may extend to rearwardly of said rear edge forwardly of said handle connecting means.
 4. The refuse collecting device of claim 1 wherein said handle means is connected to said tubular element adjacent the rear edge thereof.
 5. The refuse collecting device of claim 1 wherein said tubular element is a one-piece plastic molding.
 6. The refuse collecting device of claim 1 wherein said front edge portion includes a tapered lower distal edge providing a preselected reduced thickness for facilitated pickup of scooped refuse.
 7. The refuse collecting device of claim 1 wherein said handle means includes a connector portion integral with said tubular element and elongated manipulating means secured to said connector portion.
 8. The refuse collecting device of claim 1 wherein said tubular element is formed of sheet metal and includes a turned distal edge of said front portion defining a bead for facilitating retention of said bag collar portion thereon.
 9. The refuse collecting device of claim 1 further including storage means on said device for supplying seriatim a plurality a said disposable bags.
 10. The refuse collecting device of claim 9 wherein said storage means is carried on said handle means. 